Abstract
This article examines the debate concerning the employment implications of the so-called ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ (FIR) or the increasing presence of artificial intelligence and robotics in workplaces. I analyze three ‘genres’ associated with this debate (academic studies including neo-classical and heterodox/post-human approaches, the ‘gray literature’, and popular media) and I argue that together they represent ‘futurological fodder’ or discourses and knowledges that ‘perform’ the FIR and its purported consequences. I contend further that these genres involve a complex mix of ethics and politics, and I conclude with a reflection on the political implications of the FIR debate.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 237-256 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | Space and Polity |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Keywords
- Artificial intelligence
- fourth industrial revolution
- futurity
- robotics
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geography, Planning and Development
- Political Science and International Relations